What Is a Method Statement? (UK Guide + Example)
When you’re managing work on site—whether construction, maintenance, refurbishment, or manufacturing—one of the first documents you’ll hear mentioned is the Method Statement. But what exactly is it? Why is it important? And how does it fit alongside other Health & Safety documents like a Risk Assessment or RAMS?
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know, in clear, practical language, with real examples based on how UK businesses actually work.
What Is a Method Statement?
A Method Statement is a document that explains how a job will be carried out safely, step by step.
Where a Risk Assessment identifies hazards and evaluates risks, a Method Statement describes:
- The exact sequence of work
- Who will complete each task
- What equipment and materials will be used
- What controls will ensure the job is done safely
- How risks identified in the Risk Assessment will be managed
A Method Statement is usually requested for higher-risk activities, such as:
- Hot works
- Working at height
- Excavation
- Confined spaces
- Lifting operations
- Electrical work
- Mechanical installations
- Work near water or roadways
In many industries, Method Statements are not just helpful—they’re required by clients, insurers, and principal contractors before any work begins.
Why Method Statements Matter
A good Method Statement:
1. Improves safety
It provides a clear, readable set of instructions for the workforce. Everyone knows the plan. Everyone understands the hazards. Everyone follows the same safe sequence of work.
2. Reduces mistakes and delays
Many incidents occur not because of bad intentions but because of miscommunication. A Method Statement prevents this by aligning the entire team.
3. Demonstrates compliance
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must plan work safely. A Method Statement helps prove that planning.
4. Helps win work
Clients, especially on larger or public-sector contracts, often require a professional Method Statement. A weak or unstructured one can cost you the job.
How a Method Statement Fits With a Risk Assessment
People often ask:
“Do I need both a Risk Assessment and a Method Statement?”
In most cases, yes—especially for higher-risk work.
Here’s the difference:
Risk Assessment
→ Identifies hazards
→ Analyses risks
→ Rates severity & likelihood
→ Determines control measures
Method Statement
→ Translates those control measures into the actual safe working procedure
→ Explains how the job will be done
Together, this combined document is often called RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement).
What Should a Method Statement Include?
A professional Method Statement typically contains:
1. Project Details
- Company name
- Site address
- Work description
- Date
- Assessor / author
2. Responsibilities
Who is supervising?
Who is carrying out the work?
Are there competencies or qualifications required?
3. Sequence of Works
A clear, numbered, step-by-step breakdown describing:
- Preparation
- Equipment setup
- Safe working procedure
- Monitoring and supervision
- Completion and clean-down
This is the heart of the Method Statement.
4. PPE Requirements
e.g., gloves, goggles, high-vis, respiratory protection.
5. Tools & Equipment
What is being used? Are inspections required?
6. Emergency Arrangements
Fire safety, first aid, spills, contact numbers.
7. Environmental & Site-Specific Controls
Noise, dust, waste, permits, weather conditions, etc.
8. Sign-off
A place for supervisors or site managers to confirm they have briefed the team and approved the method.
Who Writes a Method Statement?
Typically:
- A Site Manager
- A Health and Safety Officer
- A Supervisor with technical knowledge
- A Contractor working under a principal contractor
The key requirement:
The author must understand the task, the methods, and the associated hazards.
Do I Need a New Method Statement for Every Job?
Often, yes—or at least an updated version.
Generic Method Statements are common in industry, but they must be:
- Adjusted for the site
- Updated for weather and access conditions
- Aligned with the specific team and equipment
- Matched to the associated Risk Assessment
A Method Statement should always be site-specific before work begins.
Method Statement Example (Simplified)
Task: Install new LED lighting in a warehouse
Sequence of Works:
- Arrive on site, sign in, attend induction.
- Supervisor to brief team on RAMS.
- Isolate electrical supply and confirm lock-out in place.
- Set up podium steps and inspect for damage.
- Remove old fittings following safe manual handling techniques.
- Install new LED units using insulated tools.
- Remove waste materials and dispose responsibly.
- Restore power and complete final testing.
- Supervisor signs off work as complete.
A full version would include controls, PPE, risks, equipment, emergency details and more.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Copying and pasting generic statements
Clients are quick to reject these.
❌ Not linking the Method Statement to the Risk Assessment
They must work together.
❌ Using too much technical jargon
The people doing the work must understand the document.
❌ Forgetting sign-off
An unsigned Method Statement is often considered invalid.
How to Create a Professional Method Statement Quickly
Writing method statements from scratch can feel intimidating—especially if you want them to look professional and comply with UK standards.
That’s why many businesses now use structured, ready-made templates they can customise for each job.
Docuqo provides clean, A4, structured UK Method Statement templates, including:
- Method Statement template
- RAMS combined templates
- Project & site templates
- Editable A4, fully fillable PDF formats
These templates help ensure consistency, compliance, and a professional appearance your clients can trust.
Final Thoughts
A Method Statement isn’t just paperwork—it’s a practical tool that protects workers, keeps clients confident, and demonstrates your commitment to safe working practices.
By understanding what a Method Statement is, why it matters, and how to structure one properly, you place your business on the stronger, more professional side of Health & Safety compliance.
If you’d like a ready-made Method Statement or combined RAMS template, you can browse Docuqo’s growing library of UK Health & Safety forms.
Need a Professional Method Statement or RAMS Template?
If you want a clear, compliant, and professional-looking Method Statement without starting from scratch, Docuqo offers fully editable A4 UK templates designed for contractors, SMEs, and site managers.
Popular Templates
-
Method Statement Template (A4, Fillable PDF) Docuqo 0101
Perfect for creating structured, job-specific safe systems of work. -
RAMS Template – Risk Assessment + Method Statement (Combined) Ref. Docuqo 0106
Ideal when clients require a single, professional RAMS document. -
Risk Assessment Template (HSE-Aligned) Docuqo 0103
Clean layout, simple scoring, and ready for site use.
All templates are instantly downloadable, A4 UK compliant, and designed to help you look more professional while saving hours on paperwork.
